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Legacy Flame to be lit in Pozières, France to mark start of relay event

Posted on | By Legacy
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This year, Legacy commemorates 100 years of supporting the families of Australian Defence Force personnel who have given their life or their health to protect our nation.

To honour this special milestone and pay tribute to the sacrifice of many Australians, Legacy is holding a once in a lifetime torch relay event.

The Legacy Centenary Torch Relay 2023 presented by Defence Health begins on the battlefields in France this week. The opening ceremony will take place in Pozières where legend has it that the idea of Legacy began as one soldier made a promise to another to “look after his missus and the kids”.

The Assistant Minister for Defence and Assistant Minister for Veterans’ Affairs Matt Thistlethwaite will attend the ceremony being held at the Pozières British Cemetery on Sunday 23 April.

Mr Thistlethwaite said the torch relay will recognise the service Legacy has given to the families of thousands of Australian Defence Force personnel.

“It will be an honour to be in Pozières to witness the first stage of the Legacy Centenary Torch Relay,” Mr Thistlethwaite said.

“Legacy began as a promise made between mates in the trenches, to look after the families of those who lost loved ones through the war.

“Legacy chose the torch of remembrance as their emblem, which embodied their commitment to never forget the sacrifice of our service men and women.

“As this torch makes its way from France to London and around Australia, its undying flame will remind us of the debt we owe to all those who have given so much for our country.”

Following the official launch, a Legacy Centenary Torch will be gifted to the Sir John Monash Centre, which commemorates Australians who served on the Somme.

The Legacy Centenary Torch will be involved in other Anzac Day events on the Somme before heading to Ypres, Belgium to be part of the Menin Gate Last Post Ceremony. It will then make its way to London, the location of the only Legacy Club outside Australia, where there will be a relay event through the streets of the city and a gala dinner event.

Legacy Australia Chairman, Eric Easterbrook is proud to represent Legacy in Pozières and says the torch relay event will shine a light on the tireless work the charity does.

“For 100 years, Legacy has been standing proudly as the only veteran service organisation in Australia dedicated solely to the care and support of our veterans’ families. It is an honour, as Chairman, to carry the Legacy flame on the battlefields of France where so many Australians made the ultimate sacrifice. The Spirit of Legacy is service, and I would like to pay tribute and thank the thousands of Legatees and volunteers who have dedicated their time to supporting the widows and families in our care over the past century” he said.

As one of Australia’s oldest and most iconic charities, Legacy currently supports 40,000 families of Australian Defence Force personnel who have given their lives or their health in service of their country. The 45 Legacy Clubs work to ensure our veterans’ families receive the emotional, social and financial support they deserve.

The Legacy Centenary Torch Relay presented by Defence Health is a six month event starting in Pozières France and concluding in October in Melbourne, the home of the first Legacy Club.

 

For more information contact the Legacy Australia media team on [email protected] 

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